Saturday, March 24, 2007

Mike over at Black Shoe Diaries sends us this clip (via AOL Fanhouse) from the world of NASCAR that actually serves two purposes: it acts as our "Beer Bong Friday" clip (about 1 minute in) and also illustrates in numbing detail just how ass-boring NASCAR is.

Okay, okay, props to any "sport" that has fans openly doing beer bongs right in the stands. But I would rather sand paper my balls with cheese grater than sit through 200 laps of this shit.

Look at the fans all just sitting there on their hands looking bored with ear protectors on. Gee, where do I sign up for that excitement? Yeah, hey, better bring my beer bong into the stands. God forbid I'm on a Pabst Blue Ribbon run and miss three laps of cars going in circles.

Oh, wait, you mean there's also a chance I could be killed if a car slams into the wall near my seats? Woo hoo! Let's bring the kids.

21 comments:

I'm sure you'll get plenty of comments on this one. I don't need to defend NASCAR to you. But, consider the number of people that enjoy this sport across the USA (more than all of CFB combined) and then consider that maybe there is something here that you may not understand and are missing. NASCAR obviously isn't for everyone, but don't be too quick to discard it. If you've never been to Daytona in February, you're welcome to join me ....you may find there is more here than you thought......

What, you mean we're not supposed to like sanding our balls with cheese graters?

Anon 4:57 - I hear you, and I understand what you're saying. I have siblings that swear it's a real thrill and rush to watch a race in person. The thrill must be in the pre-race activities, an occasional crash, and in the final last few laps sprint to the finish, because while I've witnessed a few laps on TV, this clip pretty much sums up what I thought it would be like in person. Obviously getting a scanner and listening in to what the teams are discussing must add some drama to it all, but I'm not sure wabout that either... I mean how exciting is, "Hey Bo, the front end feels a wee bit loose on turn 2, oh dadgummit, that 8 car is pissing me off, he's trying to spin me like his Diddy used to, God rest his soul. Where's the 24 car at? Rainbow Warrior my ass, that boy ain't nuttin' but a bonified queer if I ever saw one."

I must admit I like NASCAR. I used to think it was boring as hell too until I found the secret a few years ago. You have to have a favorite driver. Once you have something to root for the sport takes on a whole new meaning with rivals and allies. If my driver crashes on lap 10 I turn off the race because after that it's just cars driving in circles to me.

anon 4:57... I'd like to see some facts regarding your statement that NASCAR is bigger than CFB -- especially when the fan bases overlap.

CFB has gotten ridiculously huge over the past few years as well.

As far as dollars go, it's about a wash between the two sports. Some might argue since there's less than half as many Nextel teams as Div 1 clubs NASCAR wins but the bottom lines between all revenue is about the same. Hell, even Duke cleared $8M on football (according to Forbes) for turning in a 1-10 season in '05.

This Sunday there will be 160,000 at Bristol for the NASCAR race, at an average of $90 per ticket. My quick math says that $14,400,000. For the Busch race there will be 130,000 people at $40 per ticket, that = $5,200,000. So that's $20,000,000 for 2 days and does not include any concessions, camper parking (which is HUGE), etc. From a few people I know in the business, I hear Bristol will bring in close to $40,000,000 this weekend. Does Michigan make that in a year for 8 home games?

I used to think NASCAR was a joke too, until I went to a race. Last year I went to 5 races. There's a lot to it. It's like going to the big house one week, and The shoe the next, each one of these tracks has its own personality, and that is part of the aura. Not to mention, what other sporting event can you bring in your own beer!

"But, consider the number of people that enjoy this sport across the USA (more than all of CFB combined) and then consider that maybe there is something here that you may not understand and are missing."

seems like you both agree with this.

Two problems.

1. No way to back it up (Bristol may do well one weekend, but add up all the CFB on a similar weekend and you'll find more fans in attendance and on TV).

2. I think a third of country can't find Hawaii on a map of the world, does that make it right? Most people seem to engorge themselves on MickyD's 5 times a week, is that exciting?

Well, regardless of which 'sport' is bigger, it's safe to say that I could live like a fat daddy and ban the 24 car from all races and Fat Phil from all games if I had the income that either college football or NASCAR brings in. If I had the income of both, well then you might just see the Gamecocks in the MNC next year.Oh and hot chicks for everyone (and Tom Brady for T9).

All racing became dead to me after that Indy/CART (whatever it was at the time) race at MIS, when a crash into the wall killed like 10 fans and they just continued the race with blankets over the bodies.

I made the mistake of calling it "car-racing" in front of a couple of die-hard fans and they just looked at me incredulously like I just said something awful about their momma. To each his own, I rekon. To me they're just billboards on wheels.

OK, be honest, "car-racing" fans. Is one big reason why you watch it is to perhaps see a huge car wreak happen?

Follow the MZone

Subscribe To

The MZone-slash-MichiganZone.net-slash-MichiganZone.blogspot.com is in no way affiliated with the University of Michigan and/or U-M football in any way. If you thought it was, frankly I'm surprised you know how to use a computer.